Knowledge You Can Build On – Est. 1998
The WoodCentral homepage now brings together new content from across the site, making it easier to keep up with what’s happening without having to visit each section individually. I make a distinction between content and responses. Think of content as articles, forum topics, and replies to those topics. Responses are comments people leave on other … Read more
Both Woodcraft and Rockler are long-established woodworking retailers with strong reputations, but they serve slightly different needs. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide which is better for you. Quick overview Side-by-side comparison Category Woodcraft Rockler Winner / Best For Tool Selection Excellent – broad range of power tools, hand tools, and brands (Festool, … Read more
Here’s a hand-picked selection of some of the best and most useful woodworking channels on YouTube. Top Recommended Channels For Beginners & General Woodworking Advanced & Furniture Making Specialized Channels Tool Reviews & Shop Tips Ask me if you would you like me to sort them by specific categories (beginner, hand tools, power tools, turning, … Read more
Sooner or later, most woodworkers run out of room. The lumber rack creeps into the garage, the mower lives under a tarp, and somebody in the house suggests a shed. If you build furniture, you already have the skills to build one. You also have a few habits that will slow you down, cost you … Read more
One of the fundamental problems of the modern web: the cost of creating a website has collapsed, but the difficulty of attracting an audience has not. In fact, the flood of inexpensive, instantly generated websites may make attracting an audience harder than ever. Twenty-five years ago, building a website required a certain amount of technical … Read more
One of the many fringe benefits of being a woodworker is that you can make things for your family and friends—gifts that will be cherished far more than store-bought gifts, and likely passed on as family heirlooms—and all it costs you is some pleasurable time in your workshop. It doesn’t get any better than that. … Read more
Elmer’s white glue (the classic school glue formula) is a polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesive, the same general type used in many dedicated “woodworking” glues like Titebond. It works well for: Limitations to keep in mind Quick comparison Glue type Water resistance Best for Price Elmer’s White (PVA) None Indoor, light-duty $ Titebond Original None Indoor … Read more
The scene has expanded a lot since the early days of standalone forums. Here’s a practical overview of the major active woodworking communities today, ranked roughly by how serious woodworkers tend to use them. Platform / Site Best For Vibe & Activity Level Strengths Weaknesses Best Match For WoodCentral Technical advice, tools, jigs, shops Practical, … Read more
Can we determine a reasonable estimate of how many domains have been in continuous operation for over 20 years? Yes, but only as an estimate. The important distinction is between a domain name that has been registered for more than 20 years and a website that has remained in continuous operation for more than 20 … Read more
Hand planes are among the most useful tools in any woodworker’s kit. They let you flatten, smooth, thickness, and shape wood with precision and control that machines often can’t match. Main Types of Hand Planes Plane Type Primary Use Typical Size Key Features Bench Plane General flattening & smoothing 14–24″ long Most versatile; comes in … Read more
Corner clamps (also called corner vises or 90-degree clamps) are essential tools that hold two pieces of wood at a precise right angle while you drive screws, nails, or apply glue. They’re especially useful for assembling boxes, frames, cabinets, and picture frames. Types of corner clamps Here’s a quick comparison of the most common styles: … Read more
Resawing is where a band saw earns its floor space. Stand a thick board on edge, split it into a book-matched pair or a stack of thin drawer sides, and you get two or three boards out of one. In dry poplar the job almost runs itself. In padauk, jatoba, hard maple or white oak, the cut wanders, the blade runs hot, the faces come off washboarded, and sooner or later somebody blames the blade.
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